This is a page filled with local "short cuts" that might help you to avoid traffic or stop lights when getting around San Francisco in your car:

Crossing town

  • Instead of Van Ness North, take Franklin Street.
  • Instead of Van Ness South take Gough Street.
  • Instead of taking Lombard Street take Geary Boulevard to Divisadero when outbound, or vice versa when inbound.
  • Short cut from the Mission or Castro to UCSF: Take Diamond across Market Street, and turn left on 17th. This take you over a hill. Turn right onto Stanyan, and left on Parnassus, which then becomes Judah.
  • Crossing town from SFSU or the Zoo (19th Avenue to the Mission: Take Sloat, stay on it as it becomes Portola, then take either Clipper or stay on Portola till it becomes Market Street.

For more tips, see Driving and How To Drive Across Market Street